Polyphemus moth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Polyphemus moth |
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The Polyphemus moth (scientific name: Antheraea polyphemus) is a large, tan-colored moth found across North America. It belongs to a group called Saturniidae, known as giant silk moths. This moth can have a wingspan of about 15 centimeters (6 inches).
One of the most special things about the Polyphemus moth is the big, purplish eyespots on its two back wings. These spots look a bit like eyes and help scare away predators. The moth gets its name from Polyphemus, a one-eyed giant (a cyclops) from ancient Greek myths. The first person to describe this moth was Pieter Cramer in 1776. You can find these moths in many parts of Canada and the United States.
Contents
Life Cycle of the Polyphemus Moth
The Polyphemus moth goes through several stages in its life, just like other giant silk moths.
Eggs and Caterpillars
The female moth lays flat, light-brown eggs on the leaves of different plants. These plants are called "host plants" because the caterpillars will eat them. Some common host plants include:
- Betula (birch trees)
- Salix (willow trees)
- Quercus (oak trees)
- Acer (maple trees)
- Carya (hickory trees)
- Fagus (beech trees)
- Gleditsia triacanthos (honey locust trees)
- Juglans (walnut trees)
- Pyrus (pear and quince trees)
- Prunus (plum, peach, apricot, and cherry trees)
- Sassafras
- Citrus (citrus trees)
- Ulmus americana (American elm trees)
When the eggs hatch, tiny yellow caterpillars come out. As they grow, these caterpillars shed their skin five times. Each time they shed their skin, it's called an instar. The caterpillars change a little bit with each instar. By their fifth and final instar, they become bright green with shiny silver spots on their sides. They eat a lot of their host plant leaves and can grow quite big, up to 3–4 inches long!
Cocoons and Adult Moths
After growing big, the caterpillars spin a brown cocoon made of silk. They usually wrap this cocoon in the leaves of their host plant. Inside the cocoon, the caterpillar changes into a pupa.
In most parts of the United States, two groups of moths hatch each year. One group appears in early spring, and another in late summer. When the moths are ready, they break out of their cocoons. This is called eclosing. After they eclose, they need to pump fluid, called hemolymph, into their wings to make them expand.
Female moths release special scents called pheromones. Male moths can smell these pheromones from far away using their large, feathery antennae. Males can fly for miles to find a female. After mating, the female spends most of her remaining life laying eggs. Males might mate with several females.
Adult Polyphemus moths have very small, non-working mouthparts. This means they cannot eat. Because they don't eat, adult moths only live for less than one week.
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Eggs
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Caterpillar in Virginia, United States
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Adults mating
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Underside viewed through a window
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Topside after falling off window
Protecting Polyphemus Moths
Polyphemus moths face several threats in nature.
Natural Threats
Some insects, like parasitoid wasps, lay their eggs on or inside young caterpillars. When these eggs hatch, the larvae eat the caterpillar from the inside. Once the caterpillar forms its pupa, the larvae also pupate, which unfortunately kills the Polyphemus pupa. A specific fly called the Compsilura concinnata tachinid fly is a known danger to the Polyphemus moth. This fly was brought to North America to control another pest, the gypsy moth, but it also harms native moths.
Squirrels also eat the pupae of Polyphemus moths, which can reduce their numbers.
Human Impact
Human activities can also affect Polyphemus moths. For example, cutting back tree branches (pruning) can remove cocoons hidden in leaves. Leaving outdoor lights on at night can also be harmful to moths, as they are attracted to the lights and can become disoriented or easy prey.
